 |
| Selecting Recycled |
 |
| Below are
brief explanations of the main classification systems
for recycled papers. |
| |
•
The abcd Classification
paperback was instrumental
in setting up the "abcd" scheme for describing
the recycled content of a given paper. This enables users
to tell at a glance the environmental credentials of a
product. Each letter describes a different type of waste
used in production as follows:
a - Woodfree
Own Mill Waste
Woodfree would seem to suggest paper made without wood.
In fact it is a technical term for paper made by a chemical
process during which lignin is extracted from the wood.
Mill waste means waste that never left the mill. This
waste requires no cleaning.
b - Woodfree
Unprinted Waste
This waste has left the mill and is generated by paper
converters or printers. It is collected by merchants and
returned to the mill and so requires very little cleaning.
c - Woodfree
Printed Waste
This is “post-consumer”
waste and has to be cleaned or de-inked before it can
be used to make paper. It includes waste generated in
offices. Using this waste reduces pollution from unnecessary
dumping, making it very environmentally friendly.
d - Mechanical
Printed and Unprinted Waste
Includes newspapers and magazines made by a process that
does not remove the lignin from the pulp. Genuine “post-consumer”
waste, it must be cleaned or de-inked before use and has
the greatest environmental benefit. |
| |
•
NAPM Approved
The classification of the National Association of Paper
Merchants. NAPM approved recycled papers are made from
a minimum of 75% genuine waste fibre (categories b, c
and d), although the remaining 25% may contain mill waste
or virgin fibre. |
| |
•
Blue Angel
The longest established ecolabelling system, which embodies
the cradle-to-grave approach, Blue Angel stipulates that
paper must be 100% recycled and contain at least 51% post-consumer
waste |
| |
•
FSC
FSC papers contain fibre certified by the Forest Stewardship
Council. The FSC is a non-profit organisation committed
to the promotion of environmentally, socially and economically
responsible forest management. paperback
is an FSC certified supplier (SGS-COC-0621). |
| |
•
TCF
‘Totally Chlorine Free’ papers are non-recycled
grades manufactured using a process free from elemental
chlorine and chlorine compounds. No chlorine bleaching
is used in the manufacture of paperback
recycled papers. |
| |
| |
 |
 |
| |
